Lastly, Luis Robert Jr.. The idea of Robert has always been more fun than the production. Often injured and coming off back-to-back down seasons make acquiring him, and his $20 million price tag, a risk. On top of that, the White Sox’s asking price is apparently far too high.
Call me a sucker, but I would love to get Robert. I keep telling myself he would be a better player outside of that dumpster fire in Chicago. Right or wrong, I believe it. His contract would be $20 million for 2026 with a $20 million option for 2027. A perfect structure that allows an out if it goes south, or an affordable price tag if the talent shows up.
Add an Impact Bat
You could check this box by making one of the moves outlined above, but that is not the only route. The Reds have a spot in the outfield but should also have room to make a move at DH, first, or second. There’s a trickle-down effect and musical chairs component to all of this, but that discussion is for another day. Find the bat, figure out the rest.
Despite a worse-than-expected 2025 season, I still have faith in Elly De La Cruz. I have been high on Sal Stewart for some time, and he showed the potential to be a feared hitter. But, the Reds are still missing a player we know can alter the lineup and add run production.
You’ll hear me talk a lot about players that fit what the Reds are trying to do. I might not fully buy into it, but a high-contact hitter is a clear priority. Although, I don’t think they will make an entire lineup out of them. They need to mix in some power, and that’s where we could see an impact addition.
Potential Free Agent Targets: Brandon Lowe, Ryan O’Hearn, Kyle Schwarber
Brandon Lowe does have an $11.5 million club option, so it’s possible he falls into the trade, and not free agent, category. Either way, I love his fit in Cincinnati. He’s a lefty bat with a ton of power who could slot in at DH, first, and provide insurance to Matt McLain at second (more on that later).